Aerial Imaging Services in Schenectady, NY

FAA Part 107 Requirements

All commercial drone operations in New York require the pilot to hold an active FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Our network operators are verified Part 107 holders.

State Drone Laws

New York regulates drone operations through a combination of criminal surveillance statutes, state park rules, and local ordinances. New York Penal Law 250.55 (amended 2023) classifies unlawful surveillance conducted via unmanned aerial vehicle as a Class E felony, prohibiting the use of drones to capture images of individuals in private settings without consent. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation requires a commercial use permit under 9 NYCRR 375.1 for drone operations in all state parks and historic sites. New York does not require a separate state-level commercial drone license or registration, but all commercial operators must hold a valid FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and register their aircraft with the FAA. New York City has additional local restrictions — Local Law 152 of 2024 requires permits for commercial drone filming on city property and within certain NYC parks. Westchester County parks require a permit from the Westchester County Parks Department. The state does not broadly preempt local municipalities, meaning individual cities and towns may enact their own drone ordinances governing takeoff, landing, and operation on public property. Commercial operators near military installations (West Point Military Reservation, Watervliet Arsenal, Stewart Air National Guard Base) must coordinate with base operations and check NOTAMs. The FAA controls all airspace above 400 feet AGL and LAANC authorization is available for Class B and C airspace across the NYC metro region.

Local Ordinances

Schenectady is governed by New York state drone law (NY Penal Law 250.55) and FAA Part 107 regulations. The City of Schenectady requires a permit for commercial drone takeoff and landing on city property, issued through the Schenectady Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs. City parks including Central Park, Riverside Park, and the Gateway Landing waterfront require explicit permission for commercial drone operations. The Stockade Historic District, the oldest residential historic district in the United States, requires review from the Schenectady Heritage Foundation for commercial drone filming of historic structures. Schenectady County parks (including the Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and Vale Cemetery Park) require a commercial use permit from the Schenectady County Parks Department. Commercial drone filming for movies, TV, or advertising requires a film permit from the Capital Region Film Office. New York State parks require a permit under 9 NYCRR 375.1. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has additional review requirements for filming historic canal structures along the Mohawk River. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification is required for all commercial operations. LAANC authorization is required for flights within SCH Class D or ALB Class C airspace boundaries.

Restricted Airspace

• Schenectady County Airport (SCH) has Class D airspace with a 4 NM radius surface area. The airport is located within Schenectady city limits, meaning most of the city falls within the Class D lateral boundaries. Commercial drone operations within the SCH Class D require LAANC authorization. The airport hosts the 109th Airlift Wing of the New York Air National Guard, which operates C-130 Hercules and LC-130 ski-equipped aircraft for polar research and military airlift missions. The 109th Wing is the only U.S. military unit flying ski-equipped aircraft, and its training flights create heavy military air traffic over Schenectady. Operators should check NOTAMs for military training schedules.
• Albany International Airport (ALB) Class C airspace is located approximately 5 NM south of Schenectady. The ALB Class C has a 5 NM radius surface area and outer shelves to 10 NM. Southern Schenectady and the town of Niskayuna may fall within the ALB Class C outer shelf boundaries. Commercial drone operators in southern Schenectady should check both SCH Class D and ALB Class C boundaries to determine which airspace authorization is required.
• The Mohawk River waterfront in Schenectady has moderate helicopter and small aircraft traffic including news, medevac, and State Police helicopters. The Stockade Historic District, located along the Mohawk River, is the oldest residential historic district in the United States. Commercial drone filming of the Stockade District's historic Dutch colonial and Federal-style homes requires review from the Schenectady Heritage Foundation and may require coordination with the NYS Historic Preservation Office. The Mohawk River towpath and bike trail are managed by multiple agencies.
• Riverside Park and the Gateway Landing waterfront area along the Mohawk River are managed by the City of Schenectady and require authorization for commercial drone operations. The Mohawk Hudson Bike-Hike Trail, which runs through Schenectady along the old Erie Canal towpath, is managed by Schenectady County and the NYS Canal Corporation. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor passes through Schenectady, and commercial filming of historic canal structures may require additional permits.
• The Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL) operated by Bechtel and the U.S. Navy is located approximately 5 NM northwest of Schenectady in Niskayuna. KAPL designs and tests naval nuclear reactors and has strict security restrictions on aerial photography. While there is no restricted airspace over KAPL, commercial drone operators flying near the facility should be aware of security zones and avoid aerial photography of the laboratory. The nearby Union College campus also has drone policies for commercial operations on campus property.